ISLAMABAD: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome on Tuesday visited the multi-purpose Gomal Zam Dam in the South Waziristan District of the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the significant achievements of the joint project between the United States and Pakistan.
Ambassador Blome was accompanied by the Chairman of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Lt. General (retired) Sajjad Ghani, and the Secretary of the Agriculture Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Javed Marwat.
The dam is a joint project of the governments of the United States and Pakistan that has yielded remarkable outcomes. The dam, under the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, has doubled agricultural production in the region by opening 191,000 additional acres for local farmers. It has also controlled potential flood damage for over 30,000 households, dramatically increased Pakistan’s national water storage capacity, and provided electricity for 20,000 homes.
Ambassador Blome expressed immense pride in the fruitful collaboration between the United States and Pakistan on the Gomal Zam Multi-purpose Project. The U.S. investment of $130 million in the dam, irrigation infrastructure, and agriculture development components has brought substantial benefits to the project’s surrounding communities.
“We are immensely proud of our $130 million collaboration with the Government of Pakistan on the Gomal Zam Multi-purpose Project, including the dam, irrigation infrastructure, and direct support to surrounding communities,” said Ambassador Blome in a press statement issued by U.S Embassy on Tuesday.
The Gomal Zam Dam, considered the third-largest water storage facility in Pakistan, stands as a critical component of the country’s climate change management and food security strategy. The project has been a remarkable success in promoting sustainable water management, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives.
With the collaboration of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Pakistan, the dam has been instrumental in opening 191,000 additional acres for local farmers, enabling them to significantly improve their socio-economic conditions. Moreover, it has contributed to the generation of 17 megawatts of hydropower, providing a reliable and clean energy source for the region.
Gomal Zam Dam, the third-largest water storage facility in Pakistan, after the U.S.-funded Tarbela and Mangla Dams, is a critical piece of infrastructure in Pakistan’s strategy for climate change management and overall food security. With the generation of additional 17 megawatts of hydropower, the dam provides a reliable, clean energy source and empowers farmers to improve their socio-economic conditions.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invested $130 million in the dam, irrigation infrastructure, and agriculture development components. The Government of Pakistan and the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provided an equal contribution toward the project cost.
The visit by Ambassador Blome underscores the successful partnership between the two countries and highlights the tangible outcomes achieved through their joint efforts. The Gomal Zam Dam project serves as a shining example of how international collaboration can lead to significant economic growth, improved livelihoods, and enhanced resilience to climate change.
The U.S.-Pakistan alliance in the field of sustainable development continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering long-term partnerships and addressing shared challenges. The visit to Gomal Zam Dam further solidifies the bilateral cooperation between the United States and Pakistan and reaffirms their dedication to advancing water management, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture practices.
